Opponent rundown timer when lost game

Nobody runs down the timer when the game is lost. Because when a game is lost, or over, the timer is not running. The timer is only running during a losing game, not a lost game.

As cellomaster said, they are either stalling or thinking about what to do. I know it's common for me to take longer at the end of the game because thats often the part where a single move can win or lose the game. If I am in a losing position I will often take my time looking for the best solution. Sometimes I find a way to win or draw, but usually I lose. Thats just a part of chess.

I love running the clock out on people when I'm in a losing position, and hate it when the reverse happens, but it's perfectly legitimate.  Move faster and you won't have this happen!

Oh, perhaps I misunderstood your complaint.  Did you mean people running down their OWN clocks?  That could be caused by anything at all.  My cat just climbed out of my lap and onto the keyboard.  I relit my cigar while looking at the board.  I am praying to such gods as may exist to intervene on my behalf.  There's many things that can go wrong with a won game in online chess.  Here's a funny story...

I was on another site, playing some Mexican students in their dorm room a few games, winning and losing.  One guy achieved a won game.  I told him in chat "The only way I can win now is if a giant bird landed on your phone line and took out your internet."  A second later, his internet went out and never came back.